I have an opportunity to hunt the Midwest for the first time ever. It'll be private land bow and gun and from what I've read should coincide with the searching phase of the rut. Any must have gear? Techniques I should try or avoid? Mistakes you've made? Any other advice? I'm somewhat successful in Alabama, but I know the Midwest is a whole other world, so I thought I'd ask the aldeer experts. I've read a fair amount on the subject (here and elsewhere), but there are always new people coming on board that may have new info.

If you are "somewhat successful" in Alabama you can kill any deer in the Midwest.

What dates and what state?

Missouri - November 8ish through the 16ish, but it's a lease so I could go other dates.

I also have a chance to try some private land in North Dakota but have not committed to that. I believe it would have to be bow hunting as the gun draws have passed, right?

Take nothing special except to have the wherewithal to sit as long as possible.

Missouri:

You should be dead in the rut, not cruising. Look at an aerial and find any pinch points between tree changes, fence rows, crops, etc and put a lock on up.

North Dakota:

Yes I'd guess the draws have passed. Depending on the terrian and timber, I'd do about the same as Missouri. Tree rows might be present between feeding and bedding. If so, focus on those.

I'd take a ground blind on both hunts just in case.

All you really need is a really comfortable stand and some good weather (i.e. Cold with a good steady wind) and plan to hunt all day. Put yourself in a good funnel for deer movement and put your time in and you will be fine with those dates.

Depending on what your terrain features are you might consider things like a decoy but it is not necessary. The Deer where you are hunting are going to respond better to horns and calls, so don't be afraid to grunt at one or do a little rattling. As long as you hunt the wind you will be fine.

After hunting out of state for a few years and being lucky a few times on harvesting some nice deer, the most important thing I can tell you is to just enjoy the experience. Unless you are just in a crap spot, you are gonna see multiple racked bucks and deer movement at least like I've never experienced in Alabama.

Rivers West clothes, and a decoy for sure.

Bamacamp nailed it... I've only been the past 2 season to Illinois but the deer up there actually act like deer and you will get to see some awesome rut action. Grunt and rattle and don't be afraid to do it.

Best of luck!

I hunt south west Indiana and this will be my 4 year going and like said before find a funnel and hunt as long as you can. You will see some good bucks and don't be afraid to grunt at them. The only thing bad about hunting up there is you will loose interest in hunting in Alabama. Good luck and have fun.

Thanks guys, I plan to hunt as much as possible. I use a grunt here, but have never used a decoy and no longer rattle. I also rarely hunt out of a lockon or ground blind, but I'm guessing there aren't many trees that are climber-friendly, so I'll have to adapt.

All good advice above from what I have seen as well. I have hunted the first week of November three different times in Northwest Missouri.

^^^^^^^^^this